TikTok stops serving US users, disappears from Apple, Google stores via Reuters
Written by David Shepardson
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – TikTok stopped operating in the United States late on Saturday and disappeared from Apple (NASDAQ: ) and Google (NASDAQ: ) stores ahead of a law that takes effect on Sunday that would require the shutdown of the app used by 170 million Americans . .
President-elect Donald Trump said earlier in the day that he would “give TikTok a 90-day reprieve from the ban after taking office on Monday,” a promise TikTok cited in a notice sent to users of the app.
TikTok, which is owned by China’s ByteDance, told users trying to use the app around 10:45 pm ET (0345 GMT): “A law banning TikTok has been passed in the US. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok right now. .We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to restore TikTok once he takes office.
Other apps owned by ByteDance, including video editing app Capcut and lifestyle social app Lemon8, were also offline and unavailable in US app stores as of late Saturday.
“A 90-day extension is something that is likely to be done, because it is appropriate,” Trump told NBC. “If I decide to do that, I will probably announce it on Monday.”
TikTok users who logged in late Saturday were met with a message that said the law “will force us to make our services temporarily unavailable. We are working to restore our service in the US as soon as possible.”
It was unclear if any US users still had access to the app, but it was no longer working for many users and people who wanted to access it through the web app were met with the same message that TikTok was no longer available.
The Chinese-owned app, which has attracted almost half of all Americans, empowered small businesses and created an Internet culture, said on Friday that it would be dark in the US on Sunday unless the administration of President Joe Biden gives assurances to companies such as Apple and Google that. they will not face enforcement action when the ban goes into effect.
Under a law passed last year and upheld Friday by a unanimous Supreme Court, the platform has until Sunday to cut ties with its China-based parent ByteDance or shut down its operations in the US to address national security concerns.
The White House reiterated on Saturday that it was up to the incoming administration to take action, increasing the possibility of a shutdown on Sunday.
“We see no reason for TikTok or other companies to take action in the next few days before the Trump administration takes effect on Monday,” press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.
TikTok did not respond to a request for comment on the White House’s new statement.
China’s embassy in Washington on Friday accused the US of using improper state power to suppress TikTok. “China will take all necessary measures to protect its legitimate rights and interests,” the spokesman said.
